Thoughts: Never Underestimate Carol Phillips
September 17, 2011
Carol Phillips
When we began planning the cover art for Book V: The Temple of the Exploding Head, the clear choice of scene was the Temple itself–it was only natural. The Temple is a rotten place, full of noise and death. A carnal orgy and rave has been going on inside the Temple for ages untold without stop or pause, and the Horned God has presided over it all, ever thirsty for more. As I described the scene to Carol, it was a phantasmagoric ride of cages and skulls and torn flesh, a captured Carahil, a demented Sam and a lonely, outnumbered Kay facing it all alone.
The floor of the Temple was to be where the Worshippers of the Horned God hung out. As I described it to Carol, “bad things” were happening there. I’m uninhibited and Carol’s uninhibited as well and she’s game to tackle anything I throw at her. I figured that, given the complexity and size of the area involved, the worshippers would be tiny in the extreme and all the nastiness I described to her would be nothing more than a curious, stick-figure Mosh Pit.
Carol delivered the art to me today. Stick Figure Mosh Pit?? Guess again, Ren …
What I was looking at was a masterpiece of carnal art, horrific and starkly brutal and all completely clear and richly painted. I marveled at it, but, as I took in the details I quickly realized this viscera and sex fest would never fly and would have to be changed. I mean, I’m pretty fearless about these things, but, I need to give my publisher a bit of a break every now and again.
So, the scene has to change. I emailed Carol and we talked. She’s going to obscure the floor of the Temple in writhing fog, offering only an occasional glimpse as to what is happening within. All in all, I think it’ll add to the drama of the scene.
So, let that be a lesson to me. If I can dream it, Carol can paint it bold and proud.
Bowl Naked
RG
copyright, 2011 Ren Garcia and Carol Phillips
The Temple of the Exploding Head 
LOL. I was wondering which turns this painting would take, considering some of the nude characters in your books, who do not even realize they’re nude! Most of all, there is magic, electricity, and a strong element of danger to be found in this piece, and that makes it compelling. Carol’s work is deep and dark, and an adventure–it’s amazing how you both dream together and come out with works such as these!
Yep, you know me, Chris!! LoL!! I honestly thought when we were putting the cover together that the worshippers would be so tiny they wouldn’t be of much consequence. Carol can really draw detail out of very little space. 🙂